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Myles Garrett
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Myles Garrett

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Myles Garrett

NFL defensive player. Position: Edge Rusher (EDGE). Team: Los Angeles Rams (traded from Cleveland Browns on June 1, 2026).

Quick Facts

  • Position: Edge Rusher (EDGE)
  • Team: Los Angeles Rams (traded June 1, 2026)
  • Contract: ~$160 million (four-time All-Pro, two-time DPOY)

2026 Outlook

Myles Garrett was traded to the Los Angeles Rams on June 1, 2026 for Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a conditional 2029 third-round pick.

Week 1 knee injury (Sept 16): Garrett underwent arthroscopic knee surgery after Week 1 and is headed to injured reserve, expected to miss at least four games. This opens opportunities for backup pass-rushers and affects LA's defensive consistency early in the season. (per Three big-name free agents who could be signed after Week 1 injuries) The third-rounder can escalate to a first-rounder if the Rams trade Garrett to an AFC North team (Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, or Baltimore) before 2029—an unusual clause inserted by the Browns to prevent a division rival from acquiring him. This trade caps an incredible 2025 season where he set the single-season sack record with 23 sacks—one of the best seasons in NFL history. He holds two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards and is chasing the record (three total). At age 31 heading into 2026, Garrett joins DC Chris Shula in LA, where the Rams have also traded for cornerback McDuffie and signed Jaylen Watson to upgrade the secondary. Alongside legendary defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who unretired on August 30 to join the Rams, Garrett anchors one of the most elite defensive lines in modern NFL history. Garrett remains an elite pass rusher who transforms any defense he joins. (per Aaron Donald ends his retirement, joins Myles Garrett with Rams on a 1-year, $20 million deal)

Week 1 disaster for the Rams trade (Sept 20): Garrett's Rams debut was disastrous on multiple levels. He finished with zero tackles, zero sacks, and zero QB hits while dealing with a lingering knee injury that worsened as the game went on. After the 27-7 loss to San Francisco, Garrett acknowledged his performance was "the worst version of myself that I've put out there" and admitted the knee is "more serious" than he had let on. Within days, he underwent arthroscopic surgery and was placed on injured reserve, forcing the Rams to navigate the season without the marquee defensive acquisition they traded three draft picks to acquire. The disaster raises immediate questions about whether the Rams' all-in approach will produce the desired outcome given Garrett's unavailability at a critical juncture. (per 7 offseason NFL signings and trades that already look disastrous)

Note on Donald's Week 1 status (Sept 2): ESPN reported that Aaron Donald's Week 1 availability vs. the 49ers is uncertain; a Week 2-3 debut is more likely. This means Garrett may play the Rams' season opener against San Francisco without his new defensive line partner, though the pairing remains a long-term core strength for LA's defense. (per 49ers reportedly could avoid Aaron Donald's NFL return in Week 1)

USA Today's analysis of the top 10 NFL trades of the last decade ranks the Garrett deal as the #1 trade, citing "one of the biggest trades in recent memory, but also in league history." The two-time DPOY's impact signaled the Rams are "all-in on trying to win another Super Bowl." The market impact was immediate: Rams odds to win Super Bowl 61 moved from +800 to +600, making them the only team with single-digit championship odds heading into OTAs. Garrett confirmed he'll wear his familiar #95 with LA (per NFL news, live updates: Falcons reportedly make Drake London league's third-highest...). The Rams were already the +800 favorite before the trade, having come off an NFC Championship loss to defending champion Seattle—adding the two-time DPOY and sack leader elevates their championship window significantly. Garrett will pair with edge rusher Chris Jones to anchor a transformed defensive front.

Garrett's impact on the Rams defense is immediate and quantifiable. He had 31 quick pressures (under 3 seconds) in 2025, fifth-most in the NFL, compared to 34 combined from the Rams' prior pass rush (Verse, Young). The Rams converted just 18% of pressures to sacks last season (21st in NFL), but Garrett led the league in quick pressure rate and sack conversion, dictating double-teams and freeing up teammates. DC Chris Shula gains a gravity creator who can manipulate offensive protections, similar to how Aaron Donald elevated the secondary by generating instant pressure. (per In trading for Myles Garrett, the Rams just acquired the NFL's biggest defensive cheat code) and (per Top 10 NFL trades of the last decade: Where does Myles Garrett rank?)

Garrett's technical dominance becomes clear in his elite metrics: 0.70-second get-off (fastest among 200+ pass rushes), 83 sacks over the last five years (most in NFL), 156 QB hits (most in NFL), 17 run stuffs from edge (second-most behind only Maxx Crosby), and 28 run stops from edge (fourth-most). Pairing him with Chris Young gives the Rams two elite defenders with 50+ pressures each. The Rams' prior pass rush ranked second-slowest in get-off at 0.96 seconds; Garrett's 0.70 mark instantly upgrades LA's ability to reach QBs early and avoid chip blocks (per How does Myles Garrett fit in Rams defense? How All-Pro changes everything).

Beyond immediate impact, Garrett has set his sights on a career milestone: breaking Bruce Smith's all-time sack record of 200. Currently at 125.5 sacks (third-most among active players), Garrett needs 74.5 more sacks to eclipse Smith's 23-year-old record. At 30 years old, he's in elite company—only five players in NFL history have recorded 75+ sacks after turning 30. Garrett's contract with the Rams runs through 2030 (five seasons); if he averages 14-15 sacks annually, he'll be within striking distance at age 35. The Rams' improved defense and play-with-a-lead environment should generate more sack opportunities than his Cleveland years, positioning him well to pursue this historic goal. (per Rams' Myles Garrett wants to break an NFL record that has stood for 23 years and he might just pull it off).

In his 10th season, Garrett is also within striking distance of Reggie White's record for most sacks in a player's first 10 seasons (145 total). With 125.5 through nine seasons, Garrett needs just 20 sacks to surpass White's mark—a realistic threshold given he recorded 23 in 2025 and is predicted to reach 20+ again in 2026. (per With 20 sacks, Myles Garrett would top Reggie White for sacks in a player's first 10 years).

IDP outlook in 2026: Garrett finished as IDP2 in 2025 fantasy with 265.3 points despite not impacting the run game as much as traditional IDP candidates. Though his pass-rushing production will inevitably decline from his record-breaking 2025 (23 sacks), he remains a can't-miss IDP prospect in every draft and is positioned as a top-tier fantasy defensive asset. Even with expected sack regression, Garrett will be among the NFL's sack leaders in 2026 and remains a human highlight reel. (per 2026 NFL Fantasy Football Top IDP and Team Defense Picks, Contenders & Analysis - Lineups) CBS Sports ranks Garrett as the #1 overall player in the NFL heading into 2026, underscoring his elite status across both IDP and mainstream fantasy formats. (per Ranking the NFL's top 100 players, plus stars who could force a trade))

IDP tier-1 targeting (June 25): IDP+ ranked Garrett as tier-1 defensive lineman for 2026 IDP drafts, describing him as "an elite pass-rush presence and proven dominance that should translate even with a new supporting cast." Recommended as a rounds 8-11 target for first-round IDP selections (per 2026 IDP Draft Strategy Guide).

Bold 20+ sack prediction (July 1): ESPN's 2026 preseason predictions bold-face Garrett to repeat his 23-sack masterpiece with another 20+ sack season. The logic: improved pass-rush opportunities in LA (5.4 more obvious pass-rush snaps per game vs. Jared Verse's rate), alongside DC Chris Shula's creative blitz packages designed to maximize his pressure rate. While 20+ sacks have only occurred 23 times in NFL history, Garrett's elite conditioning (missed just 1 game in five years), prime status at age 31, and better situational football with the Rams favor another historic year. Garrett's 448 pass-rush snaps in 2025 (tied for 8th) should increase significantly with the Rams' expected higher third-and-long frequency, as coach Sean McVay's playoff teams maintain leads and generate natural passing situations. ESPN analyst assessed the Rams as better positioned to feed Garrett opportunities: only Jared Verse's 241 obvious pass-rush snaps (6th) exceeded Garrett's 217, giving him roughly 34 more ripe sack opportunities (2 per game) over a 17-game slate—enough to push him toward another 20-sack season if pressure-to-sack conversion rate holds. (per 10 predictions for 2026 NFL season: Division winners, trades - ESPN)

Training camp status (August 5): Garrett is wrecking offensive lines in Rams camp as the defense prepares for a dominant 2026 season. Paired with edge defender T.J. Watt, he creates a historic pass-rush tandem. On 59% of his 2025 pass-rush snaps, Garrett was double-teamed (most among true edge defenders) and chipped on 26% of snaps—still posted 23 sacks. The Rams expect a "lead" environment with -500 Super Bowl odds, which should create natural passing situations late in games. IDP expectations remain tier-1 with regression naturally from his 23-sack record, but Garrett is positioned for continued dominance in LA's scheme. (per NFL offseason power rankings: No. 1 Los Angeles Rams move all in to win another Super Bowl).

ESPN Top 100 validation (Sep 1): ESPN's 2026 NFL Top 100 Players list ranked Garrett as the top edge rusher in the NFL, explicitly citing his historic 2025 season (23 sacks, breaking the single-season record) and pairing with Aaron Donald as creating one of the most dominant defensive line combinations in NFL history. The ranking emphasizes that while sacks will naturally regress from his record-breaking pace, Garrett remains positioned for continued dominance in LA's defensive scheme under coordinator Chris Shula. (per 2026 NFL Rank: Predicting top 100 players for this season - ESPN)

Week 1 Fantasy Analysis (Sept 4): Yahoo Sports' Week 1 studs/duds analysis for the Rams-49ers matchup (Thursday night in Melbourne) highlights Garrett as a core piece of the Rams' elite defensive line. The analysis notes Garrett's elite 17.89% pressure rate and 24.6% pass-rush win rate (first among edge rushers in 2025), positioning him for continued sack production in Week 1 against San Francisco. The article emphasizes the Rams defense's 41.6% pressure rate and paired dominance with Aaron Donald anchoring what Yahoo describes as "the odds-on Super Bowl favorites." (per NFL 2026 Week 1: Your Best Stud, Dud With Stats For Fantasy Football).

IDP rankings tier-1 confirmation (July 20): The IDP Show's latest tier update confirms Garrett as ED1 heading into 2026, with particular emphasis on his improved outlook after joining the Rams. Analyst noted Garrett originally ranked as ED3 while with Cleveland but elevated him to clear IDP1 status due to the combination of elite individual production (23 sacks in 2025, broken NFL record), better pass-rush environment with LA (more pass-rushing opportunities, stronger supporting cast), superior secondary allowing more time to generate pressure, and overall team improvement. The projection: "another 20-plus-sack season is within his range of outcomes again." Garrett's continued elite production and lack of signs of decline solidify his top tier status heading into training camp. (per 2026 Fantasy Football Rankings: IDP Defensive Linemen Tiers 2.0)

Week 1 knee injury, IR placement (Sept 16): Garrett underwent arthroscopic knee surgery after Week 1 and is headed to injured reserve, expected to miss at least four games. The injury opens a window for veteran pass-rush reinforcements to step into the gap during his absence. (per 3 big-name NFL free agents who could be signed after Week 1 injuries)

Week 1 vs. 49ers (Sept 14): Myles Garrett suffered a left knee injury during the Rams' Week 1 loss to San Francisco in Australia and underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. Head coach Sean McVay reported that Garrett will be placed on injured reserve and miss at least four weeks, with no clear timeline for his return. McVay noted the team had monitored his knee during training camp after he missed time in camp but didn't expect the injury to force surgery. Garrett played in Week 1 but acknowledged post-game that he wasn't himself and was concerned about his knee. This injury represents a major blow to the Rams' defensive line dominance and eliminates the elite pass-rush threat that was supposed to anchor their Super Bowl-contending defense (per Rams' Sean McVay: No timeline on Myles Garrett's return post-knee surgery - NFL.com, NFL news, live updates: Jaxson Dart dazzles vs. Cowboys - Yahoo Sports).

Week 1 knee concerns (Sept 11): Garrett's Rams debut in Melbourne against San Francisco was disappointing—he recorded zero tackles and zero sacks in the 27-7 loss. After the game, Garrett acknowledged his performance was "the worst version of myself that I've put out there" and admitted he's not at 100% health heading into the season. He declined to discuss specifics about his knee injury or which knee was injured, but his quiet performance raises questions about his conditioning heading into his first season with LA. This marks only the fourth time in 135 career games he failed to record a tackle. For IDP purposes, his health status warrants monitoring, though a single poor game doesn't negate his elite tier-1 status for 2026. (per NFC West: Myles Garrett acknowledges knee injury is significant after quiet Rams debut).

Week 1 reality check — knee injury resurfaces: Myles Garrett's Rams debut on Sept 10 (Thursday Night Football vs 49ers in Melbourne) was a sharp disappointment. He logged zero tackles, zero sacks, and zero quarterback hits—the first time since November 2024 he posted such a line. Garrett revealed afterward that he wasn't "100%," dealing with a knee injury that plagued him since training camp. Netflix's Tom Pelissero reported sideline observations that Garrett was "subbing in and out" and "seemed gassed"—suggesting conditioning concerns from limited preseason exposure (he barely practiced in camp due to the knee injury). Garrett didn't enter with an official injury designation, but his assessment of the game as "the worst version of myself that I've put out there" signals durability concerns heading into Week 2. The Rams loss was 27-7, which could suppress Garrett's sack opportunities if LA continues getting blown out early. (per Is Myles Garrett injured? Star edge rusher posts dud in Rams debut - USA Today).

The 49ers' dominant OL performance against Garrett underscored how much his knee affected his week-1 contribution. The 49ers used tempo, quick snaps, and varied formations to contain him—classic adjustments that any offense can employ. However, the combination of a nagging knee and limited training-camp reps due to the injury created a perfect storm. Per Garrett's own post-game: "When I was out there, I was a little bit more focused on myself and trying to stay healthy than what they were doing." This acknowledgment—that he couldn't be fully present defensively—should influence Week 2 expectations. If the knee improves and conditioning accelerates, he returns to tier-1 edge-rusher status. But Week 1 proved the injury timing is real and his floor is lower than pre-offseason projections suggested (per How did 49ers' offensive line shut down Myles Garrett in Rams debut?)

Week 1 reality (Sept 10): Garrett's actual Week 1 performance in Melbourne was a washout. He finished with zero tackles, zero sacks, and zero QB hits—the fourth time in 135 career games he posted such a line. Afterward, he told reporters his performance was "the worst version of myself that I've put out there" and admitted his knee injury is "more serious than he had been letting on." He declined to specify which knee or discuss details of the injury, but his subpar outing raises durability concerns for his floor heading into Week 2. For IDP purposes, one poor game doesn't erase his tier-1 status, but the physical evidence (knee stiffness, conditioning gaps from missed camp reps) suggests his fantasy ceiling is capped until he proves otherwise. (per Rams' Garrett says knee injury hurt his performance: 'Worst version of myself')

Week 2 IR placement (Sept 16): Garrett underwent arthroscopic knee surgery following his Week 1 injury and was placed on injured reserve, expected to miss at least four weeks. His absence opens opportunities for veteran edge rushers like Joey Bosa to sign and contribute as rotational pass-rushers. (per 3 big-name NFL free agents who could be signed after Week 1 injuries).

Return timeline analysis (Sept 18): Sports Illustrated's historical comparison of arthroscopic knee surgeries suggests Garrett faces a 4-6 week timeline. Past precedent—Joe Mixon (2018, missed two weeks), Robert Quinn (2022, missed four games), Osi Umenyiora (2011, missed three games)—indicates recovery varies based on the specific issue. McVay has publicly stated he won't rush Garrett back and will wait until the edge rusher is performing at his elite standard. If Garrett follows the optimistic Joe Mixon timeline, he could return Week 6 vs. Arizona; if he follows the Robert Quinn pattern, Week 8 vs. Los Angeles Chargers becomes realistic. The key unknown: McVay's historical tendency toward opacity on injury timelines suggests the 4-week minimum could extend into 6-8 weeks before Garrett truly returns to form. (per What History Says About Rams' Myles Garrett and His Return Timeline)

Free agent signings triggered by injury (Sept 16): Week 1 injuries across the league, including Garrett's IR placement, create roster needs that free agents can fill. Teams losing edge rushers have few high-level options available but experienced veterans like Bosa (5 sacks in 2025) can walk in and contribute as rotational pass rushers without needing to be the focal point. Garrett's long absence makes him unavailable for the Rams' early-season push, forcing defensive coordinator Chris Shula to adjust scheme and deployment strategy. (per 3 big-name NFL free agents who could be signed after Week 1 injuries)

Arthroscopic knee surgery and IR placement (Sept 13): Following his Week 1 disappointment, Myles Garrett underwent arthroscopic knee surgery and was placed on injured reserve. He is expected to miss at least four weeks. This development ends Garrett's season before it truly began and removes him from elite edge-rusher consideration for the first month-plus of 2026. The timing is particularly frustrating given the Rams' massive investment in the trade and Aaron Donald's return specifically to pair with Garrett. His IDP value collapses immediately, and the Rams' championship window shows early cracks without their marquee defensive acquisition healthy and available. (per Myles Garrett to reportedly undergo knee surgery, miss at least 4 weeks after struggling in Week 1 loss).

McVay's injury communication pattern (Sept 19): Sports Illustrated analysis of the Rams' handling of Garrett's knee injury reveals a troubling historical pattern by head coach Sean McVay: the team downplayed Garrett's injury severity throughout training camp despite observable signs (him wearing a different knee sleeve, missing multiple consecutive practices). From August 2-17, McVay said "erring on the side of caution" four times and insisted there was "nothing to worry about," then exactly one month later Garrett was placed on IR. The article shows a recurring Rams pattern: Todd Gurley's touches mysteriously dropped in 2018-2019 but McVay blamed "flow of the game" when he was clearly injured; Matthew Stafford's 2023 elbow issue was downplayed as "a little soreness" before McVay admitted later that "people forget what a big deal that was"; Stafford's 2024 back injury was managed quietly before he nearly landed on IR. McVay's approach appears to be protecting player confidentiality, but it makes it nearly impossible for outside observers to trust his public statements. This pattern raises questions about whether Garrett's 4-week IR minimum might extend into 6-8 weeks if McVay's historical opacity applies—he may not be transparent until recovery is imminent. (per Myles Garrett Situation Raises Questions About Rams Injury Communication)

McVay on recovery timeline (Oct 2): Sean McVay declined to confirm Ian Rapoport's reported six-week recovery timeline for Garrett. "That's new to me," McVay said on the Coach McVay Show. "I'm not familiar with that report." McVay reiterated that Garrett's minimum IR stay is four weeks and declined to establish a hard deadline for return, saying the focus is on "return to performance, not just return to play." McVay noted Garrett is "making good progress" and the Rams will allow his "clock to start whenever that is" without forcing a timeline. This communication style is consistent with McVay's historical pattern of downplaying injury severity early, but it suggests the Rams' internal optimism about recovery may diverge from outside projections (per 'That's New to Me!' Sean McVay Addresses Myles Garrett's Injury Timeline).

Return timeline optimism (Oct 3): The Athletic's Jonathan Jones reported Rams are "hopeful" Garrett will return Oct. 18 vs. Arizona (first eligible date off IR). A source indicated Oct. 25 vs. Las Vegas Raiders is more likely for actual return. Sources told Jones that a six-week absence would represent the "worst-case scenario," signaling Rams management believes a faster recovery is likely. Bleacher Report's trade analysis confirms Garrett remains one of the most impactful defensive assets despite his mid-season injury, and the Rams are committed to his recovery before deploying him again. Garrett remains unavailable for fantasy purposes Week 4, and unlikely before Week 6-7 depending on recovery pace. The Rams' positive outlook suggests Oct 18 is possible but Oct 25 is more realistic based on historical arthroscopic recovery timelines (per Myles Garrett Injury Update, Latest NFL Rumors on Rams Star's Return Timeline After Surgery).

Rapoport's six-week timeline (Oct 4): Ian Rapoport reported Garrett was given a six-week recovery timeline following knee surgery, which would target a Week 9 return vs. Washington (Nov. 8) as a realistic possibility. However, coach Sean McVay pushed back on treating the six-week projection as a firm deadline, emphasizing the team won't rush Garrett back and he must be fully ready before deployment. Minimum two more games (Weeks 5-6) are guaranteed misses; realistic return window is Week 9 if the six-week timeline holds, but McVay's patience-first approach suggests the actual return could vary based on Garrett's progress and readiness (per Myles Garrett Injury Update: How Many More Games Will the Rams DE Miss?).

CBS unanimous top-10 pick (July 30): CBS Sports' panel of 10 NFL experts unanimously selected Garrett as one of four unanimous top-10 picks at the edge rusher position heading into 2026, cementing his consensus status as an elite defensive anchor across all analytical frameworks and fantasy formats (per CBS Sports' top 10 players at every defensive position: Four unanimous top picks, including Myles Garrett).

IDP Caution: Tempered expectations for fresh-management approach (Sept 1): Despite Garrett's record-setting 2025 (23 sacks) and elite upside in IDP formats, the Rams' intended workload management presents a ceiling concern. IDP managers should temper expectations as the Rams plan to keep Garrett fresh for a potential Super Bowl run, prioritizing long-term availability over peak regular-season production. While his upside remains the highest of any edge rusher in the NFL, the nagging knee injury lingering through training camp coupled with planned rest/rotation suggests his 2026 IDP ceiling won't match his historic 2025 pace (per IDP Fantasy Football Analysis: 2026 Preseason IDP Risers & Fallers).

4for4 IDP tier-1 elite edge ranking (July 24): 4for4's 2026 fantasy football IDP rankings place Garrett as the consensus clear 1.01 in IDP regardless of scoring format. The ranking notes he's "coming off of a historic 2025 campaign" (23 sacks) and "while I'm not projecting a repeat performance, I don't think he has a peer who's coming for his crown." Garrett should see a spike in play volume and pass rush snaps with the Rams, who faced 64.1 plays per game (top 10) and opposing pass rate of 59.3% (top 10)—both marking significant increases from Cleveland's bottom-third volume (59.7 plays per game, 53.2% pass rate). Even accounting for natural regression from his record-breaking pace, 4for4 projects Garrett for a league-leading 16.5 sacks in 2026. (per 2026 Fantasy Football IDP Rankings and Tiers Breakdown: Defensive Linemen - 4for4)

NFC West divisional dominance context (Aug 27): CBS Sports' division ranking analysis positions Garrett's addition to the Rams as fundamental to their elite status entering 2026. The Rams' #1 NFC West ranking explicitly cites the Garrett trade as transformational: "all they've done is add one of the best defensive players of all time in Myles Garrett and overhaul their worst position group, trading for Trent McDuffie and signing Jaylen Watson." The assessment suggests Garrett's impact is on par with elite additions, positioning the Rams' defense as elite even accounting for regression from his historic 2025 sack total. (per Ranking NFL divisions: NFC West, NFC North battle for supremacy, clear choice for worst - CBS Sports)

Aaron Donald unretires to pair with Garrett (Aug 30): Hall-of-Famer Aaron Donald officially came out of retirement on August 30, 2026, signing a one-year, $20 million deal with the Rams to team up with Garrett. The two form one of the most dominant defensive line combinations in NFL history—Garrett leads all active players with 125.5 career sacks, while Donald brings 125.5 additional career sacks and three Defensive Player of the Year awards. Donald will operate on a rotational workload (30-40 snaps per game) rather than competing for full-time reps, allowing the Rams to maximize both edge rushers' availability in key situations. Donald told NFL insider Jordan Schultz: "I've been working the last 12-13 weeks to train my body and get it to a point where I felt like I could play the game at a high level and be durable. I am now ready to come back to try and do something special with this group of guys" (per Aaron Donald comes out of retirement, joins Myles Garrett with Rams on a 1-year, $20 million deal).

September 3 Super Bowl predictions: NFL.com's Super Bowl LXI predictions consensus view features Garrett as the pass-rush centerpiece of the Rams' championship defense. Multiple analysts project Garrett to log game-record sacks in the Super Bowl, with one specifically predicting "Myles Garrett logging a game-record 4.5 sacks" at SoFi Stadium against various AFC challengers. The eight independent Super Bowl predictions from NFL analysts all favored the Rams, underscoring Garrett's role in the team's elite defensive profile (per Super Bowl LXI predictions: Los Angeles Rams lead seven NFL favorites to hoist Lombardi Trophy).

The trade reflects the Rams' established pattern of aggressive moves when a championship window appears. This organization has repeatedly prioritized immediate star power—previously trading for Matthew Stafford, Jalen Ramsey, and Von Miller—placing a bet that Garrett's elite production now outweighs long-term flexibility. With Super Bowl LXI scheduled at SoFi Stadium, the Rams sent a clear message they believe another Super Bowl run is within reach (per 2026 Defensive MVP Myles Garrett Traded to LA Rams - Respect My Region).

Browns' rebuild signal: Garrett's trade from Cleveland in early June 2026 set the stage for the Browns' defensive reconfiguration. Despite trading away their star pass rusher, the organization extended both Denzel Ward ($31.1M AAV cornerback) and safety Grant Delpit through 2029—signaling the team's intention to compete despite roster mobility decisions. Ward's subsequent statement that he "can still be traded" despite the extension reflects the broader uncertainty around Cleveland's rebuild direction; the team is simultaneously committing to veteran secondary talent while maintaining optionality for mid-season trades if the 2026 season disappoints. (per Browns CB Denzel Ward: 'I Can Still Be Traded')

ESPN trade grades (Aug 30, 2026)—cautionary view: ESPN graded the Rams a C-, noting while Garrett clearly elevates their 2026 title chances, the cost (Verse, three draft picks) to the 2027-2030 window is "too much to justify." Verse ranked #10 in coaches' surveys post-2025 and carries elite run-stop value—the Rams lose two years of cheap team control on a promising young edge in exchange for maximizing only 2026. ESPN also questioned the Rams' draft strategy (Ty Simpson at #13), arguing Garrett's addition mandates veteran backup QB depth given Matthew Stafford's injury risk. Verse himself is probably worth more than a first-round pick, so "the compensation here with no picks from the Browns and three from the Rams is really heavy." For the Browns, trading Garrett while still not contenders allows them to reset with Verse and draft picks that mature when they're ready to compete. The verdict: Rams are better today (moved Super Bowl odds from +800 to +600) but at a significant long-term cost (per 2026 NFL offseason trade grades: Broderick Jones, Tutu Atwell).

Role / Depth Chart

Defensive edge rusher for the Rams working under DC Chris Shula. Shula is focused on putting Garrett in positions to succeed rather than constraining him to a specific role, comparing his approach to how coaches handle elite players like Michael Jordan or LeBron James—explicitly stating "you're not gonna take Michael Jordan, LeBron, all those guys and pull them out of their comfort zone." Garrett logged reps at outside linebacker during early OTAs but Shula will adapt the 3-4 scheme around Garrett's strengths rather than forcing him into a new mold. Shula's core philosophy is leveraging Garrett's elite pass-rush talents while maintaining the team's defensive principles. (per Rams DC on Myles Garrett adapting to scheme: You don't pull Michael Jordan, LeBron...)

His 125.5 career sacks (most among active players) and nine seasons of NFL experience provide leadership and disruptiveness in both pass rush and run defense. The Rams see him as a centerpiece alongside cornerback Trent McDuffie and safety Jaylen Watson—acquisitions that complete a transformed secondary and defensive front designed to compete for a championship.

TSN top-50 acquisitions ranking (July 28): TSN's annual ranking of 2026 offseason impact places Garrett at #1 overall, emphasizing his role in the Rams' defensive transformation under DC Chris Shula. Per the ranking, "The Rams went all-in this offseason to upgrade the defensive side of the ball for coordinator Chris Shula, and the move to land Garrett tops our list. He was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year last season while setting the single-season sack record (23)." The article reaffirms Garrett's status as the year's most impactful acquisition across all positions. (per Ranking the NFL's top 50 most impactful off-season acquisitions - TSN)

Injury Status

August 11-12 knee swelling: Garrett sat out Tuesday's joint practice against Dallas due to knee swelling. He told reporters he felt about 85% healthy, but HC Sean McVay erred on the side of caution and held him out. By Thursday he was working with trainers on the sideline ahead of the Rams-Chiefs preseason game. McVay said Garrett is "making really good positive strides" and was working toward his "return to performance." While McVay wasn't transparent about a specific timeline for Garrett's return (raising some concerns given McVay's historical tendency to lack transparency on injuries), the recurring knee swelling bears monitoring. This hasnít reached the point of serious concern yet — Garrett's still expected to be ready for the regular season — but given the Rams traded three draft picks for him, any lingering knee issue into the regular season would be notable (per Myles Garrett, Puka Nacua Injuries Becoming Worth Monitoring for Rams). No long-term concerns flagged at this point.

August 25 ongoing knee swelling: Garrett remains out of practice, now having missed 12 total practices due to minor knee swelling. HC Sean McVay continues to downplay the absence, saying "The goal is, what can we do to be able to get him ready to roll for Australia?" (the Rams' Week 1 game against San Francisco). The lingering swelling suggests this is ongoing maintenance rather than a serious injury, but McVay's lack of transparency on timeline continues to raise minor concerns. Garrett is still expected to be available for the regular season (per Myles Garrett remains out of Rams' practice).

September 8 — Week 1 cleared: The Los Angeles Rams are expecting to have star edge rusher Myles Garrett available for the Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne. Garrett, whom the Rams acquired via trade from the Cleveland Browns this offseason, has been dealing with knee swelling throughout training camp, but the team expects him to be on the field. He should make his Rams debut in Australia on Thursday night (per NFL news, live updates: TreVeyon Henderson out vs. Seahawks, Aaron Donald out vs....).

Week 1 reality — knee injury confirmed (Sept 11): In the Rams-49ers opener, Garrett played just 62% of snaps—well below his 82.3% average with the Browns. Post-game, Garrett acknowledged he's "not 100% healthy," contradicting Sean McVay's earlier claim that Garrett was fully healthy "to [his] knowledge." Byron Young played the most edge-rusher snaps (72%), indicating McVay planned for Garrett's reduced workload heading in. Garrett's snap limitation was a tactical decision tied to his lingering knee issue (per Rams' Week 1 snap counts: Breaking down rotations).

September 13 — Arthroscopic surgery, 4-game IR stint: Following a disappointing Week 1 debut (0 tackles, 0 sacks vs 49ers), Myles Garrett underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee and was placed on injured reserve, requiring a minimum 4-game absence (Weeks 1-4: vs 49ers, at Broncos, at Eagles, vs Bills). Garrett is eligible to return Week 6 when the Rams host the Arizona Cardinals. Per reports, his post-game comments revealed the knee is "more serious than he had been letting on." This marks a rare injury stint for Garrett, who has missed only two games in his prior five seasons (2021-2025). During the surgery recovery, the Rams will rely on Byron Young (12 sacks in 2025, Pro Bowl-caliber), rotational pieces Josaiah Stewart and Desjuan Johnson, plus Aaron Donald, who returned to play on a rotational workload (30-40 snaps per game). Donald's return takes on "even greater importance" as Garrett recovers. If Garrett can return by Week 6, he'll miss the Eagles-Bills stretch (Weeks 3-4, among LA's toughest fixtures) but returns to face Arizona in a favorable matchup. IDP managers should plan for Garrett's absence in Weeks 1-5 fantasy rosters. (per Myles Garrett to undergo arthroscopic surgery on knee, Rams EDGE to land on injured reserve - CBS Sports).

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